Customer advisory for the joypad of the iPAQ 5400 series

[pepemosca]

I just read on www.bostonpocketpc.com about this:
http://www.bostonpocketpc.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1055

DESCRIPTION
Depending upon the pressure applied, the joypad on the iPAQ Pocket PC h5400 Series may not recognize an 'up' command.

http://www3.compaq.com/support/reference_library/xml/images/MH021218_EW01_0_0_MH021218_EW01(1).JPG

When using the joypad to navigate, the iPAQ may not respond 100% of the time when pressed in the 'up' direction. You may also experience this when pressing the joypad in the 'left', 'right', or 'down' position.

You may encounter this situation due to the sensitivity of the joypad. It should not be construed as a result of mechanical failure.

The source is HP at: http://www3.compaq.com/support/reference_library/viewdocument.asp?dt=3&source=MH021218_CW01.xml

So, they say that we should use the joypad correctly??
If someone can tell me what are they saying, please tell me :?

[Janak Parekh]

Hah! They're basically saying "push hard". Not a great answer, IMHO.

--janak

[Pony99CA]

I just read on www.bostonpocketpc.com about this:
http://www.bostonpocketpc.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1055

DESCRIPTION
Depending upon the pressure applied, the joypad on the iPAQ Pocket PC h5400 Series may not recognize an 'up' command.

http://www3.compaq.com/support/reference_library/xml/images/MH021218_EW01_0_0_MH021218_EW01(1).JPG

When using the joypad to navigate, the iPAQ may not respond 100% of the time when pressed in the 'up' direction. You may also experience this when pressing the joypad in the 'left', 'right', or 'down' position.

You may encounter this situation due to the sensitivity of the joypad. It should not be construed as a result of mechanical failure.

The source is HP at: http://www3.compaq.com/support/reference_library/viewdocument.asp?dt=3&source=MH021218_CW01.xml

So, they say that we should use the joypad correctly??
If someone can tell me what are they saying, please tell me :?
It sounds like they're saying that if you press too hard, the joypad won't work properly.

Steve

[Pony99CA]

Hah! They're basically saying "push hard". Not a great answer, IMHO.

I guess it is confusing, as we both came up with different interpretations. I think it could go either way, but the comment about "sensitivity" led me to think pressing too hard was bad.

Steve

[Chris Hendriks]

The link on the web site somewhat clarifies the issue:

"RESOLUTION
Specific pressure must be applied to the joypad before the iPAQ will respond in the appropriate direction. Depending upon the amount of pressure you apply, not all input commands will be recognized.

To ensure the iPAQ responds to your input command, you must press the joypad in the exclusive direction for which you wish the iPAQ to navigate (i.e. expecting the iPAQ to respond to an 'up' command will require the joypad be pressed in the 'up' direction, not in the 'up-left' or 'up-right' direction).

[pepemosca]

jejeje, but what is "Specific pressure"???

They (HP) are so, so funny!!

[jimski]

I have not used the joypad much on my 5450, but after some unscientific testing the UP (or North) direction does seem a bit hard to press. I believe this is partly due to the new shape around the joypad that integrates the biometric reader and not so much the joypad itself.

Being a righty, I hold the iPAQ in my left hand using my left thunb to navigate. Pressing RIGHT, LEFT, DOWN and CENTER is responsive almost all of the time (although down is a bit finicky). But pressing UP is unresponsive much of the time. If I use my right index finger instead, the UP button works just fine.

I think that some people's thumbs may have a problem hitting UP just right. Testing in Microsoft Reader, when trying to press UP, from page 6 to page 5 for example, page 5 actually pops up on the screen for a split second, but then the page returns to 6. Almost as if I am pressing the UP and CENTER buttons at the same time. Again, using my right finger and holding it the same way I would for a fingerprint scan the UP button is very reliable.

Definitely something that could use some re-engineering, but I have already gotten used to it.

[pepemosca]

I'll get my h5450 on Wednesday... then i'll tell you what's "Specific pressure" for me.

Thanks you all for your thoughts!

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

How can anyone write that customer advisory with a straight face? :?

[vincentsiaw]

so far how many bugs found on this new 5450 in total, anybody keep a count on it?

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

so far how many bugs found on this new 5450 in total, anybody keep a count on it?
People either seem to love or hate the device... very few are "lukewarm"... personally, I'd probably just go for the 3970 if I were to upgrade to another iPaq from my 3870.